Could mezda resin be the cure for inflammation?

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Bioengineering 2nd grader Fatih Özen’s project investigating anti-inflammatory effect of Toros fir, popularly known as “mezda resin”, was approved by TÜBİTAK. Özen shared that people of this region was using mezda resin in healing boils by removing inflammation, and in the form of ointment on wounds and boils because of its germicidal feature, and continued: “As I originally resided in Antalya, I wanted to investigate this mechanism of action of mezda resin further at the molecular level as well”.

The student of Üsküdar University, Fatih Özen who investigated anti-inflammatory effect of Toros fir, popularly known as “mezda resin” applied to TÜBİTAK with the support of his project consultant, Asst. Prof. Belkıs Atasever Arslan.

Fatih Özen said that mezda resin, the natural product of Toros fir growing naturally all through Toros Mountains, has anti-inflammatory (infection / inflammation preventing) feature. Fatih Özen said that he wanted to investigate this mechanism of action of mezda resin at the molecular level, and continued:

“Abies cilicica (Toros fir) is naturally grown in our country all through Toros Mountains. Mezda resin is the natural product of the tree. People of this region are using mezda resin in healing boils by removing inflammation, and in the form of ointment on wounds and boils because of its germicidal feature. As I originally am from Antalya, I wanted to investigate this mechanism of action of mezda resin further at the molecular level as well. I believe the determination of new substances that can be used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases is very crucial to investigate.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic systemic diseases in our country. It disrupts functioning of the immune system among many systems. One of the other major disease group in our country is autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, TNF - α level increases. Therefore, anti-TNF - α agents are important in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

By creating 2 different inflammation model caused by glucose and TNF-alpha, we will investigate inflammation-preventive mechanism of action of mezda resin in this project.”